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Cote d’voire’s hopes of becoming a regional transport hub have been bolstered, after receiving authorization to begin direct flights to the United States.

The economy of the world’s largest cocoa producer has been gaining momentum following a decade-long political crisis and a civil war in 2011, with annual growth averaging around 9 percent.

The African Development Bank also moved its headquarters back to the commercial capital Abidjan last year.

Cote d’ivoire has been seeking authorization from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration for 15 years and the move is expected to help attract more U.S. investors to the West African nation.